Compensative bridge score computer



y 1966 c. E. BIRKMEYER, 5R 3,259,312

COMPENSATIVE BRIDGE SCORE COMPUTER Filed Jan. 15, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2OO 60 [G o 0 5D Zoo 3 INVENTOR 8 asm fi web ATTORNEYS y 5, 1966 c. E.BIRKMEYER, SR 3,259,312

COMPENSATIVE BRIDGE SCORE COMPUTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 15, 1965INVENTOR C. E.BH2HMEYER 32.

BY E9 W056i wumk f cumwu ATTORNEY8 United States Patent This inventionrelates in general to computers and more particularly to a mechanicalcompensative computer as applied, in a specific example, to a contractbridgescorer.

Contract bridge, like other games of the whist family, is played inrubbers, a rubber being completed when one side has won two out of threegames. Each pair of partners declares, or contracts for, the number oftricks which the pair hopes to win. A game is made when acertain-specified number of points are scored. The points scored towardsa game are in accordance with the number of tricks contracted for andactually won in fulfillment of the contract, but the value of the tricksin any band played is dependent upon the suit which has been declared astrump. Thus it may happen that several hands, at each of which a scoreis made, may be required to be played by a pair of partners before agame is completed. Furthermore, the premiums which are awarded and thepenalties which are inflicted vary'in'ar'nount in accordance withwhether a side has, or has not, already won a game in the course of arubber which is in progress. A side which has won a game is said to bevulnerable, and may be subjected to severe penalties in case of itsfailure to take the number of tricks contracted for. I

As, in the game of contract bridge, the number 0 tricks scored towardsthe winning of a game are only those which the partners, constituting aside, have contracted to take, and because of the penalties which mayaccrue by reason of failure to take the number of tricks contracted for,it becomes important that the players should at all times have in mindthe exact state of the score towards the game in progress, and also thecondition as to whether or not their side is vulnerable. To meet thiscondition it frequently becomes necessary for one player before decidingon a declaration to inquire of another how the score stands, or to leanover the table and inspect the score sheet. Either is annoying, and isobjectionable because such an inquiry or inspection may give rise toinferences by the players partner concerning whether or not the playerwould have made or not made the declaration had the score beenotherwise.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide the correct andcomplete score results of any hand bid and played at contract bridge,simply by setting the computer to show the amount bid, the suit named astrump, whether vulnerable or not vulnerable, whether not doubled ordoubled or re-doubled and the number of tricks taken by bidder.

Another objectof this invention is the provision of a compensativecomputer having multiple inputs and outputs.

Another object of this invention is the provision of visible informationto all players as to the status of the bid and the amount of thecontract at all times during play of that particular hand.

Another object of this invention is to classify and provide as separateentries the amount of contract to be recorded below the line on thescore pad, if made, the amount to be recorded above the line as premiumor bonus scores, the amount to be recorded above the line as slam bonusscore and the amount in contrasting colors to be recorded above the linein favor of the opponents for penalty scores.

' Another object of this invention is a mechanical means "ice ofcomputing the correct and complete score, thereby eliminatingmiscalculations as well as mistranslation of the somewhat complexprinted scoring data.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a compensativecomputer having a plurality of superimposed discs which are relativelyrotatable for mechanically solving problems from certain programminginformation.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of acompensative computer which may be made of an inexpensive materialwithout excessive costs, is small and compact and may be easily carriedabout or hand held and which may be adapted to be mounted to score padsor suitable stands.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings showing only a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is plan view of the face of the compensative computer of thepresent invention;

FIGURE 2 is a section view taken along lines 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a section view taken along lines 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a section view similar to FIGURE 3 but taken along lines 44of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a section view taken along lines 5-5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a partial section view taken along lines 66 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of the compensative computer;and

FIGURE 8 is a partial section view taken along lines 88 of FIGURE 7. 7

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designatecorresponding parts throughout the several figures, the compensativecomputer of the present invention is designated generally by thereference character 10. The computer 10 comprises in part a front coverplate 11 and a rear cover plate 12. The rear cover plate 12 has acircular configuration and is generally flat except for the peripheralportion 13 which projects perpendicularly to the main body of the plateand embodies a lip 14 which projects from the peripheral portionupwardly and outwardly to form a partial dove-tail member. At oppositepoints about the periphery of the peripheral portion 13 there are foundrelieved portions 15 and 16, each having a longitudinal depressed area17 and 18 respectively. Integral with the main body portion of the rearcover plate 12 and spaced inwardly in a concentric manner from theperipheral portion 13 is a fixed internal gear 19of suitableconfiguration. The center of the rear cover plate 12 has an annular ring21 projecting outwardly therefrom which embodies a pair of inwardlyprojecting stop members 22 and 23 the purpose of which will be laterdescribed. With the annular ring 21, but integral with the main body ofthe rear cover plate are two series of detent recesses 24 and 25 witheach series being composed of five individual recesses. As seen fromFIGURE 3 the stop members 22 and 23 form a division between the seriesof detent recesses 24 and 25 and set the two series apart from oneanother.

The front cover plate 11 is adapted to interfit with the rear coverplate 12 to form therebetween an annular chamber 26 in which the movableportions of the present invention are located. The front cover plate 11generally comprises a perpendicularly extending annular peripheralportion 27 which is so formed as to mate with the peripheral portion 13of the rear cover plate. Peripheral portion 27 has extending therefrom alip 28 which projects slightly inwardly forming a partial dovetail thatmateswith the lip 14 of the rear cover plate. The front and rear coverplates are joined to one another merely by positioning them in registryand then applying pressure to each toward one another so that the lips14 and 28 have a snap action movement and come to rest as shown byFIGURE 6. The face of the front cover plate 11 has a series of aperturestherein by which certain inputs and outputs of the invention may beeither set into the computer or extracted therefrom. The first of theseapertures is a central circular one, noted by numeral 29, which has araised periphery 31 upon which there is certain indicia to aid in thecomputation of score in contract bridge for which the embodiment shownherein is designed. Other apertures of the front cover plate include avulnerability dial selector window 32, a doubling dial selector Window33, an above the line score window 34 and a below the line score window35.

As seen by FIGURE 1 the aforementioned apertures of the front coverplate 11 have certain indicia printed nearby to assist the computeroperator in using the computer for purposes for which it was designed.These purposes will later be described. However, it should be noted thatsince the particular embodiment shown herein was designed for use as abridge score computer the indicia printed on the front cover platenecessarily involve a pre-supposed knowledge of the game of contractbridge and the arrangement of the indicia will be evident to one havingthat knowledge. The front cover plate 11 shows at the top peripheralsurface the numerals 1 through 7 and the notation AMT. BID which standsfor amount bid and the number of tricks contracted for by the highestbidder. At the lower peripheral surface of the front cover plate thenumerals 3 through 13 appear with the notation TRICKS TAKEN. Thisindicates the actual number of tricks taken by the player who won thebid and is a number which affects the final score showing throughout thevarious apertures of the cover plate. The vulnerability dial selectorwindow 32 shows the notation NON-VUL and VULBLE which notations standfor non-vulnerable and vulnerable. Spaced about the doubling the dialselector window 33 arethe indicia RE-DBLD, DBLD and UN-DBLD whichindicia refer to the bid being redoubled, doubled or un-doubledrespectively. On the raised periphery 31 of the center aperture 29 theindicia representing clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades and no trumps areequally spaced about the upper portion of the periphery. Such indicia isused to denote the suit in which the winning bidder is playing the hand.

Located within the annular chamber 26 and adjacent the rear cover plate12 is a central sun gear 36 having suitable gear teeth '37 about itsperiphery. The sun gear 36 has a central aperture 38 which is positionedabout the annular ring 21 of the rear cover plate so as to centrallylocate the sun gear with respect to the rear cover plate.

*Concentrically located with respect to the sun gear 36 are a pair ofidentical selector intermediate gear rings 39 and 41. Gear ring 39 isthe amount bid selector ring and has mounted extending outwardly fromits periphery a bid selector indicator arm 42. which terminates in anindicator knob 43. Indicator arm 42 has at opposite sides detent buttons42a, 4% wherein .button 4% follows depressed area 17 and button 42a isadapted to fit within selected detent recesses 20a to maintain the knob43 in its desired position. Upon the ring 39 projecting toward the rearcover plate are three gear axles 44 located symmetrically with respectto the center of the gear ring. Upon these gear axles are mounted forrotation suitable planetary gears 45. The planetary gears 45 are adaptedto interfit with the internal gear ring 19 of the rear cover plate androtate thereon at such time as movement is imparted to the gear ring 39.Additionally the planetary gears 45 also engage gear teeth 37 of thecentral sun gear 36. Therefore, it can'be seen that as movement isimparted to ring 39 and since the rear cover plate 12 is normallystationary, movement will thereby be imparted to the freely rotatablesun gear in a manner relative to the rotation of ring 39.

Gear ring 41 is located adjacent ring 39 and is used to indicate uponthe front cover plate 11 the number of tricks taken by the player. Thisis accomplished by the outwardly projecting ring arm 46 and indicatorknob 47. Indicator arm 46 has at opposite sides detent buttons 46a and46b wherein button 46b follows depressed area 18 and button 46a isadapted to fit within selected detent recesses 20b to maintain knob 47in its desired position. In a manner similar to ring 39, gear ring 41has projecting in symmetrical fashion from its flat surface three gearaxles 48. Upon these axles are mounted planetary gears 49 which, in thepresent embodiment, are duplicates of planetary gears 45. The gears 49are adapted to mesh with teeth 37 of sun gear 36 and also to mesh withthe internal gear 51 of the circular above the line score dial 52.Therefore, as ring 41 is rotated to indicate the number of tricks takenit follows that the score dial 52 will be caused to rotate about twicethe distance as the movement of ring 41, and the sun gear 36 will remainstationary.

The score dial 52 is generally circular in shape and has projectingperpendicularly thereto a peripheral portion 53 which has integraltherewith on its interior surface an internal gear 51. The centralaperture 54 of score dial 52 is overly large for a purpose later to bedescribed.

In addition, the dial 52 has about its central aperture a raised annularrim 55 which acts as a bearing surface for other portions of theinvention. Printed upon the face of dial 5-2 are suitable indicia, someof which are of contrasting colors to represent various scores that maybe obtained in the game for which this computer is designed. It shouldbe noted at this time that the combination of the rear cover plate 12with its internal gear 19, central sun gear 36 and the gear ring 39 withthe assembled planetary gears combine to form a hpyocyclic gear system.In addition the sun gear 36, gear ring 41 with the assembled planetarygears and the score dial 52 with its internal gear 51 combine to form anepicyclic gear system.

Immediately adjacent the score dial 52 is a below the line contractscore dial 56 which has a central aperture 57 from the periphery ofwhich extends rearwardly a projecting portion 58 having threesymmetrical rearwardly projecting pins 59. When dial 56 is in operativeposition the pins 59 project reanwardly through the overly largeaperture 54 of dial 52 and rest in receiving holes 61 in-the [forwardface of sun gear 36. This obviously locks contract score dial 56 to themovement of sun gear 36 and does not allow independent relative move-,

ment. A portion of the contract score dial 56 has a deeply relievedperipheral portion 62 which allows portions of the premium and penaltyscore dia-l 52 to be read through aperture 34 of the front cover. Awindow 62a in the contract score d-ial 56 allows the scores for a smallslam .and a grand slam to 'be read through the front cover plate at theappropriate time.

Immediately forward of, and lying adjacent to, the contract score dial56 is a generally circular suit selector dial 63. This dial has arelieved peripheral zone 64 much for the same purpose as zone 6-2 hasfor dial 56. Inwardly toward the center from the relieved peripheralzone 64 is an elongated aperture 65 providing a window so that the scoredial 5 2 may be read at the appropriate time. A blocking bar 66separates the relieved peripheral portion 64 and the aperture 65 so thatcertain selected scores on dial 52 may be blocked out at certain times.The main function of dial 63 is performed by the five separate apertures67a, 67b, 67c, 67d, 67e which are positioned suitably with the below theline score window 35 to present through that window the desired scorecorresponding to whatever suit the hand is being played Adjacent thesuit selector dial 63 is the circular doubling dial 68 having threelower windows 69, 71 and 72 which are spaced radially from the center atvarying distances and also spaced (from one another circumferentially.As is apparent this arrangement of windows 69, 71 and 72 divide thebelow the line score window 35 into three parts to reveal only theapplicable score. In the upper. portion of the doubling dial 68 arethree windows 73, 74, and 75 which reveals certain applicable scoresfrom score dial 52. Projecting outwardly through window 33 of frontcover plate 11 is the doubling selector button 76 which is adapted to bemoved in one of three positions shown by the face of the cover plate inorder to move the various windows of dial 68 into position to show thecorrect score. The doubling selector button 76 has shoulders 76a whichallow the button to be placed in the recessed station stops 33a and 33band 33c which prevent accidental movement of button 76 from a desiredstation.

The vulnerability dial 77 is generally circular in shape and has arelieved peripheral zone 78 used for both blocking scores and forshowing scores from the various scoring dials. Another function of therelieved peripheral zone 78 is to allow free movement of the doublingdial selector button 76. The lower portion of the dial 77 has anaperture 79 to allow scores to be projected through window 35 of coverplate 11, The windows 81, 82, 83, and 84 and 85 allow certain selectedscores to be shown through the premium and penalty score window 34. Nearthe periphery of dial 77, opposite the relieved zone 78, is avulnerability selector button 86 which projects through thevulnerability selector window 32 of front cover plate and may bepositioned in either of the two positions indicated on the cover plate.Positioning of this button obviously presents through the two scorewindows the applicable score relating to the vulnerability of the personplaying the hand. The vulnerability selector button 86 has shoulders 86awhich allow the button to be placed in the recessed station stops 32a,3212 which prevent accidental movement or .button 86 from a desiredstation.

To indicate the suit in which the hand is being played a suit indicatorknob 91 having a pointing means 92 is located in the center aperture 29of the cover plate and is used for designating the suit in which the bidwas made. The rearmostportion of the knob 91 has an upper detent 93 anda lower detent 94 which are adapted to be received within the respectiveseparate series of detent recesses 24 and 25. The cooperation of thedetent and the detent recesses maintain the selector knob 91 in thedesired location and prevents it from being inadvertently moved. Alongthe shaft 91 are a pair of key ways 95 which interfi-t with the keys 96which project inwardly into the central aperture 97 of the suit selectordial 63. This construction affixes the dial 63 to the selector knob 91thereby forcing the suit selector dial to rotate responsive to the knoband so position the suit windows 67a, 67b, 67c, 67d, 67a in front ofwindow 35 so as to present the appropriate score.

In operation of the present invention it should be noted that when thebid selector indicator arm 42 is rotated in a clockwise manner thecontract score dial 56 also moves in a clockwise direction by the actionof the central sun satisfied and further advancement of arm 46 and gearring 41 will move dial 52 to show a premium score earned. Moving arm 46,which designates the number of tricks taken, actuates only the premiumand penalty .dial 52 because the sun gear 36 remains stationary in thisoperation. The contract score dial 56 is actuated only when the bidselector arm 42 and gear ring 39 are moved. However, the movement ofgear ring 39 also moves premium and penalty score dial 5-2 in a mannerwhich is contrary tothe direction of movement to the contract score dial56.

If, in playing the game of contract bridge, the number of tricks takendo not satisfy the contract as indicated by the position of indicatorknob 43 then the score showing through window 34 of cover plate 11 willbe in red numerals indicating that this is a penalty score.

'However, when the number of tricks taken satisfies the bid or isgreater than the bidded contract the score showing through window 34will be in black numerals indicating a premium score.

In the configuration shown by FIGURE 1 the computer is set up to' showthat a bid of 4 was made as is indicated by selector knob 43. Thepointing means 92 indicates that the trump suit is hearts and on theleft side of the cover plate the vulnerability selector button 86 showsthat the bidding player is not vulnerable at the present time. On theright side of the cover plate the doubling select-0r button 76 indicatesthat the bid was doubled by the opposing players. Assuming that the handhas been completely played, the tricks taken indicating knob 47 showsthat only 8 tricks were taken which means that the bidding player failedon his contract by a total of 2 tricks. This failure shows in window 34as a penalty score of 300 which would show on the opposing players scorecard as an above the line score of 300. In window 35 a score of 240 isshown which represents the amount of a contract of four hearts doubled.

Window 34 is designed to show 8 distinct and various scores positionedradially from'one another with respect to the center of the computer. Indescending order from the outermost score inwardly, the scores indicatedwould be (a) redoubled scores, (b) doubled scores, (0) scores from bidsmade in major suits and the no trump suit, (d) scores made from bids inminor suits, (e) a grand slam score bid and made when vulnerable, (f) agrand slam score bid and made when not vulnerable, (g) a small slam bidand made when vulnerable, and (h) a small slam bid and made when notvulnerable. The vulnerability dial 77 divides the upper 4 scoringsections of window 34 into two vertical sections by means of windows 81and 82 revealing only the right half of window 34 if the player is notvulnerable and only the left half if the player is vulnerable. Thevulnerability selector dial 7.7 also divides the lower 4 scoringsections of window 34 so as to reveal only the scoring sections closestto the center of the computer and the one that is third from the bottomis the side that is not vulnerable and to reveal only the sec- 0nd andfourth section from the bottom it vulnerable. The lower window 35 isdivided into 3 radial scoring sections determined by windows 69, 71 and72 of the doubling dial 68 to reveal only the score that is applicable.The radial scoring section, of lower window 35, that is nearest thecenter .of the computer reveals only the undoubled score, the middlesection reveals the doubled score and the outer section shows re-doubledscores. The lower window 35 is also divided into three circumferentialscoring sections by suit selector dial 63 and windows 67a, 67b, 67c,67d, and 67a. By'proper use of the present invention it can-be seen thatthere are eight possible scoring sections for premium or penalty scoresin the upper scoring half of window 34 and four possible scoringsections of slam scores in the lower half of the window. In the lowerwindow there are nine possible scoring sections for contract scores.When all settings are made on the computer only one score will berevealed in the upper half scoring sections of window 34 and only onescore will be revealed in window 35. If either a grand slam or smallslam was bid and made the score will be revealed as a separate item inthe lower scoring sections of window 34.

The present invention has shown a new and novel compensative computerwhich may be used for a variety of purposes although it was shown anddescribed herein as a contract bridge score computer. It'should also benoted that the computer may be constructed of various materials and itis anticipated that a high impact plastic would -be quite suitable toachieve an accurate and low cost item.

While I have particularly shown and described one particular embodimentof the invention, it is distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but that modificaions may be made within the scope ofthe invention and such variations as are covered by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A compensative computer comprising, a rear cover plate, a front coverplate having a plurality of apertures therein, the front and rear coverplates adapted to be interfitted t-o define an enclosed chambertherebetween, a sun gear mounted adjacent the rear cover plate, firstand second flat rings positioned concentrically about the periphery ofthe sun gear, axle means projecting perpendicularly outward from thefirst and second gear rings, planetary gears mounted for rotation on theaxle means, a circular internal gear adjacent the periphery of the rearcover plate, the planetary gears of the first gear ring interfittingwith both the sun gear and the internal gear of the rear cover plate, afirst indicia bearing disc positioned in overlying relation adjacent thesecond gear ring, an internally facing gear mounted integrally on thefirst indicia bearing disc, the planetary gears of the second gear ringinterfitting with the sun gear and the gear of the first indicia bearingdisc, a second indicia bearing disc positioned adjacent the firstindicia bearing disc and fixedly interconnected with the sun gear, aplurality of discs having multiple apertures positioned adjacent thesecond indicia bearing disc, means controlling the last mentioned discsto selectively present predetermined indicia from the first and secondindicia bearing discs for viewing through certain of the apertures ofthe, front cover plate.

2. A compensative computer, the combination recited in claim 1 whereinthe front cover plate has a first and second score viewing window and apair of oppositely located elongated apertures through which variableinformation may be programmed.

3. A compensative computer, the combination recited in claim 1 whereinindicia is located around the peripheral edge of the front cover plate.

4. A compensative computer, the combination recited in claim 3 wherein,the first and second fiat rings each have an arm projecting exteriorlyof the chamber whereby the arms may be moved into alignment with theperipheral edge indicia of the front cover plate whereupon such movementrepositions at least one of the indicia bearing discs.

5. A compensative computer, the combination recited in claim 1 whereinthe plurality of discs positioned adjacent the second indicia bearingdisc include a circular ing a pair of generally circular discs eachhaving a pro jecting selector button adapted to pass through one of theelongated apertures of the front cover plate for positioning the pair ofdiscs from exteriorly of the chamber.

8. A compensative computer comprising, a rear cover plate, a front coverplate having a plurality of apertures therein, the front and rear coverplates adapted to be interfitted to define an enclosed chambertherebetween, a planetary gearing system in the chamber adjacent therear cover plate, a first indicia bearing disc positioned in overlyingrelation adjacent the planetary gear system, an internally facing gearmounted integrally on the first indicia bearing disc and interfittedwith the planetary gearing system, a second indicia bearing discpositioned adjacent the first indicia bearing disc and fixedlyinterconnected with a portion of the planetary gearing system, aplurality of discs having multiple apertures positioned adjacent thesecond indicia bearing disc, means controlling the last mentioned discsto selectively present predetermined indicia from the first and secondindicia bearing discs for viewing through certain of the apertures ofthe front cover plate.

9. A compensative computer for use in the game of contract bridgecomprising, a rear cover plate, a front cover plate having a pluralityof apertures therein, the front and rear cover plates adapted to beinterfitted to define an enclosed chamber therebetween, a sun gearmounted adjacent the rear cover plate, first and second fiat ringspositioned concentrically about the periphery of the sun gear, meanslocated exte-riorly of the chamber for positioning the flat rings, axlemeans projecting perpendicularly outward from the first and second gearrings, planetary gears mounted for rotation on the axle means, acircular internal gear adjacent the periphery of the rear cover plate,the planetary gears of the first gear ring interfitting with both thesun gear and the internal gear of the rear cover plate, a first indiciabearing disc for showing premium and penalty scores positioned inoverlying relation adjacent the second gear ring, an internally facinggear mounted integrally on the first indicia bearing disc, the planetarygears of the second gear ring interfitting .with the sun gear and thegear of the first indicia bearing disc, a second indicia bearing discfor showing contract .scores positioned adjacent the first indiciabearing disc and fixedly interconnected with the sun gear, a pluralityof discs having multiple apertures positioned adjacent the the trumpsuit.

No references cited.

LOUIS J. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner,

8. A COMPENSATIVE COMPUTER COMPRISING, A REAR COVER PLATE, A FRONT COVERPLATE HAVING A PLURALITY OF APERTURES THEREIN, THE FRONT AND REAR COVERPLATES ADAPTED TO BE INTERFITTED TO DEFINE AN ENCLOSED CHAMBERTHEREBETWEEN, A PLANETARY GEARING SYSTEM IN THE CHAMBER ADJACENT THEREAR COVER PLATE, A FIRST INDICIA BEARING DISC POSITIONED IN OVERLYINGRELATION ADJACENT THE PLANETARY GEAR SYSTEM, AN INTERNALLY FACING GEARMOUNTED INTEGRALLY ON THE FIRST INDICIA BEARING DISC AND INTERFITTEDWITH THE PLANETARY GEARING SYSTEM, A SECOND INDICIA BEARING DISCPOSITIONED ADJACENT THE FIRST INDICIA BEARING DISC AND FIXEDLYINTERCONNECTED WITH A PORTION OF THE PLANETARY GEARING SYSTEM, APLURALITY OF DISCS HAVING MULTIPLE APERTURES POSITIONED ADJACENT THESECOND INDICIA BEARING DISC, MEANS CONTROLLING THE LAST MENTIONED DISCSTO SELECTIVELY PRESENT PREDETERMINED INDICIA FROM THE FIRST AND SECONDINDICIA BEARING DISCS FOR VIEWING THROUGH CERTAIN OF THE APERTURES OFTHE FRONT COVER PLATE.